Background South Africa: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Transkei,
South Africa. Mandela went to university and was
qualified in law. He joined the African National Congress (ANC)
in 1944 and joined with others to resist apartheid.
In the 1960�s the ANC was banned,
however Mandela continued his efforts against the
injustice of the apartheid state in South Africa by
creating a military wing of the ANC with other ANC
members. Mandela was secretly appointed the commander
and chief of this armed branch of government called
the Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela's intentions of the
Umkhonto we Sizwe were clear, Mandela claimed, �At the
end of the day� violence was the only weapon that
would destroy apartheid� (Quote: Nelson Mandela,
1959). Mandela and other followers (members of the
Umkhonto we Sizwe) were imprisoned for five years and
was tried for treason and plotting to over throw the
government for challenging the apartheid state in
South Africa. On June 12, 1964 Mandela along with
eight of the accused were sentenced to life
imprisonment and sent to Robben Island Prison. Mandela
was greatly known for his strength and unwavering
political position; he would not compromise anything
for freedom. While jailed, Mandela's popularity all
over South Africa grew, he was widely accepted as the
most influential and significant black leader in South
Africa. Once released from prison, Mandela became the
president of the ANC and later won the Nobel peace
prize for his valiant efforts against the South
African apartheid.
Background South Africa: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Transkei,
South Africa. Mandela went to university and was
qualified in law. He joined the African National Congress (ANC)
in 1944 and joined with others to resist apartheid.
In the 1960�s the ANC was banned,
however Mandela continued his efforts against the
injustice of the apartheid state in South Africa by
creating a military wing of the ANC with other ANC
members. Mandela was secretly appointed the commander
and chief of this armed branch of government called
the Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela's intentions of the
Umkhonto we Sizwe were clear, Mandela claimed, �At the
end of the day� violence was the only weapon that
would destroy apartheid� (Quote: Nelson Mandela,
1959). Mandela and other followers (members of the
Umkhonto we Sizwe) were imprisoned for five years and
was tried for treason and plotting to over throw the
government for challenging the apartheid state in
South Africa. On June 12, 1964 Mandela along with
eight of the accused were sentenced to life
imprisonment and sent to Robben Island Prison. Mandela
was greatly known for his strength and unwavering
political position; he would not compromise anything
for freedom. While jailed, Mandela's popularity all
over South Africa grew, he was widely accepted as the
most influential and significant black leader in South
Africa. Once released from prison, Mandela became the
president of the ANC and later won the Nobel peace
prize for his valiant efforts against the South
African apartheid.
Link to the Nelson Mandela Organization Homepage:
http://www.nelsonmandela.org/
Public Broadcating: Frontline Report on Mandela including excerpts from his autobiography:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/
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